Pelo War: Causes of Pelo War Flashcards
Epidamnus:
civil strife, Epidamnus was Corinthian colony in Corcyra –> reached out for help from Corcyra was ignored, Corinth came to help –> Corcyra furious won over Corinth 435, Corinth wants revenge building more ships
THUCYDIDES, BUCKLEY
Corcyra:
Corcyra becomes worried –> appeals to Athens for alliance, Corinth tries to stop. Athens makes “defensive alliance” with Corcyra –> good positioning to Italy/Sicily
433 mood –> Athenians believed inevitable war with Pelo
Battle of Sybota –> Corcyra losing, Athens openly fought Corinth –> indecisive victory
Corinth’s first cause –> intercept their feud
THUCYDIDES
Potidaea:
Athens demanding unprovoked for Pot. to take down fortifications, banish Corinthian officials in fear of revolt
Sparta made hollow promise to invade Attica if Athenians attacked Potidaea –> revolt –> Ath. besieges city
THUCYDIDES
BUCKLEY –> justifies Ath. action as Corinth would find means to retaliate –> prevented to attacking Corcyra
432: Debate at Sparta –> allow both allies to speak against Athenian mistreatment –> Corinth blames Sparta for slow actions –> eventually votes for war
Megarian Decree:
Decree: Athens banning Megara from all markets under her in Delian League –> complains to Sparta
Spartan Ultimatum:
PRETEXT: also Spartan ultimatum –> “war could be avoided” if Athens revoke Megarian decree /stop Potaedia siege/ Aegina independance –> Pericles “as think we should do” supports war (THUCYDIDES)
Megarian Decree:
Decree: Athens banning Megara from all markets under her in Delian League –> complains to Sparta
BUCKLEY –> bring economic ruin to Megara, listed Spartan ally
THUCYDIDES –> pretext for war, not as “aitia”
PLUTARCH –> believes if lifted Megarian decree, war would’ve been avoided
Spartan Ultimatum:
also Spartan ultimatum –> “war could be avoided” if Athens revoke Megarian decree /stop Potaedia siege/ Aegina independance –> Pericles “as think we should do” supports war (THUCYDIDES)
Background: Thirty year Peace treaty
446/5, between Athens and Sparta where all alliances were as stated, if not be “neutral” and free to join either side, no armed attacks against each other and alliances
Thucydidies: believes Athens’ growing power caused fear to Sparta, made war “inevitable” –> supported by Buckley
Pericles role in causing war:
WAR IS ALREADY DECLARED
being leading man in Athens/ oratory and influence, wanted to go to war –> confident in military strategy
BUCKLEY: thought Sparta would use this to demand more later, in Athenians weakness
Athens cause war:
THUCYDIDES:
- joining “defensive” alliance with Corcyra
- believes war was bound to come–> prepare good route (sicily/italy)
- sends 10 ships as deterrent
- interfere with Corinth/Corcyra feud –> starting war
- Potidaea –> provoke clearly
- doesn’t revoke war, Pericles wants war
KAGAN:
- fears Corinth get Macedon to revolt Potidaea
- sends ultimatum as message to potential rebels
- NOT lifting Megarian decree
- underestimates Sparta eagerness for war
PLUTARCH:
- blames Pericles,
Meyer:
- fear of naval power
Sparta cause war:
THUCYDIDES:
- fear of Athens growing power –> inevitable
- hollow promise to invade Attica if Pot. revolted
- allow debate at Sparta to complain
- no actions against Athens from before, slow to
- Archidamus tries to lower enthusiasm, ephors convince to war –> declares broken treaty
- invades Attica first
KAGAN:
- secret ephors support Pot. revolt
- unable to makes new plans
- did not want arbitration
Meyer:
- out of interest to preserve league of allies
Corinth cause war:
THUCYDIDES:
- accepts to help out of hatred of Cor. and disrepect
- initial dispute of Corcyra –> angry from Corcyra
- debate at Sparta –> spurs Sparta to do action for own initiatives
- scared of losing Potidaea –> urges for war, live without fear fo Athens
KAGAN:
- as Athens power have not grown, wasn’t inevitable
- accepting to help Epidamnus –> know will annoy Corcyra
- “minor incident” threatened whole of greek world by Corinth getting involved–> brought spartan alliance/athens in
- turning to athens made war “concievable”
- did not want truce/peace with Corcyra–> declares war on them against allies advice
- builds ships, swears war against Athens if joins corcyra
- undescicive war at Sybota –> determined to bring Sparta allies also into the war.
- supported Potidaea’s asking Sparta help
- persuade Sparta’s reluctance was disastrous against Athens –> may create new alliance as Corinth is important to Sparta
- their initiated actions cause Athens troubling behaviour
- revenge on Athens/empire too
SEALEY:
- dragged Sparta in
